The Silent Deity: Saiki Kusuo in Tensura

Life in the Storm Kingdom had returned to its steady, yet powerful rhythm.

In the military district, Benimaru was clashing blades with several ogre warriors at once, his sharp eyes judging every swing, every stance.

"Faster!" he shouted. "If this were a real battle, you'd be ashes already!"

Nearby, Hakuro silently coached a group of elite lizardmen and goblin warriors in the art of sword precision. His movements were so fast, so fluid, the students could barely keep up.

Elsewhere, Gobta, now wearing a custom-made navy-blue uniform with silver stripes and a shiny badge that read Storm Kingdom Chief of Patrol, was enjoying his patrol duties a little too much.

"Citizens of the Storm Kingdom!" he yelled through a megaphone. "The law is watching! And the law… is me!"

Behind him, several goblin police officers sweat-dropped while following along with clipboards.

At the same time, Shion was giving orders to her private battalion — a specially trained unit of elite female warriors, known as the Crimson Petals.

"Ladies! I want those formations tighter! And remember — if someone messes with Lord Veldora, what do we do?"

"Turn them into a meatball stew, ma'am!!"

"Good!"

The kingdom was peaceful, organized, thriving.

But while the surface was calm, the gears of power were always turning — especially when Testarossa entered the picture.

One sunny afternoon, Testarossa, looking graceful as always in her sharp white diplomatic uniform, walked confidently into the throne room.

Veldora was lounging on his emerald throne, swirling a cup of fancy tea with one hand and reading a thick scroll with the other. His golden cloak shimmered under the skylight, and next to him… an invisible presence was silently enjoying coffee jelly.

Saiki.

"Lord Veldora," Testarossa said, bowing slightly. "I come with a humble request."

"Speak freely, Lady Testarossa," Veldora replied in his deep, regal tone, now heavily refined — like Ainz Ooal Gown himself.

"I would like permission to summon my lineage from the Underworld. My duties are expanding, and I require subordinates who I trust implicitly."

Veldora set down the scroll and nodded with interest.

"Mmm. Yes. That is wise. A strong kingdom requires strong inner pillars... a foundation of loyalty and strength. Your lineage would make an excellent addition to our shadow network. Bring them. Bring all of them if you can."

Saiki, still munching silently on his jelly, finally spoke — though only Veldora and Testarossa could hear him.

"You don't need to travel all the way to the Underworld," he said casually. "I can just bring them here."

Both Veldora and Testarossa blinked.

"W-What?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "That's… not possible, is it?"

"Veldora," Saiki sighed, "how many times do I have to remind you… I made you. You silly goose."

Veldora cleared his throat dramatically.

"Ahem. Indeed. My creator works in mysterious — yet overwhelmingly effective — ways."

"Focus your mind on your lineage," Saiki instructed.

Testarossa closed her eyes, her crimson magicules glowing faintly. In her mind, she called upon her entire bloodline — demons of all kinds, from elegant high-class nobles to lesser, shadowy creatures forged in the deepest pits of the Underworld.

There were over 1,000 demons — loyal, ruthless, intelligent.

"Interesting…" Saiki muttered. "These guys… might make the perfect secret army."

With a snap of his finger and a ripple of unseen power, reality bent.

In the next moment — FLASH! — the entire throne room shook with pressure. A vortex of red and black light spiraled above the throne room, and one by one, Testarossa's lineage appeared.

The room was instantly filled with demons — tall, short, slender, armored, robed — standing in rigid rows, all brimming with raw magical energy. Every last one of them knelt once they saw Testarossa.

"My Lady!" they said in unison. "We are here to serve!"

Testarossa's crimson eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Welcome, all of you. From this day forward, this is your home. This land belongs to our lord and master — Veldora, the Storm King."

The demons turned to face Veldora, who stood, letting his majestic cloak sweep behind him. Saiki, staying true to his behind-the-scenes style, amplified Veldora's presence and created a powerful illusion — making it seem as if Veldora himself was about to name them.

And with a slow, commanding gesture of his hand, Veldora declared:

"From this day onward… you shall have names. You shall grow. You shall serve. And you shall protect this kingdom with unwavering loyalty."

Saiki, invisible behind the throne, waved a finger. Pop. Pop. Pop. Each demon began glowing as naming magic coursed through their essence — their bodies shifted, their forms evolved.

Horned warriors turned into sleek knights. Cloaked assassins gained form-fitting armor. Even the lower demons gained refined human-like appearances.

Every last one of them radiated power.

"We pledge eternal loyalty to Lord Veldora!!!" they all roared in perfect sync.

Testarossa placed a hand over her heart and smiled — not a sly or wicked smile, but one of true honor.

"They will be your shadow," she said softly. "They will hear what no one else hears, see what others cannot… and crush what must be crushed."

Later that evening, the Storm Kingdom's intelligence and shadow division had increased by over 500%. Saiki had already marked them with stealth-enhancing psychic cloaks, and Souei immediately began integrating them into special missions.

A new silent rumor began spreading through the kingdom:

"The Storm Kingdom has eyes in places you'd never imagine…"

Veldora, seated back on his throne, sipped tea.

"Heh… a true king must walk with shadows at his back and light before his throne."

Saiki, still invisible, smirked.

"Okay, Ainz. Chill."

"I HEARD THAT."

And with that, the Storm Kingdom didn't just grow stronger.

It became untouchable.

To Be Continued…